Dalmilling Church was filled to overflowing last Wednesday evening for the Induction of Rev. John McCutcheon as Minister of Ayr St Quivox Parish Church.
More than 150 members and friends from Ayr Presbytery, St Quivox and a large number of John's supporters from Temple Anniesland in Glasgow, Duntocher and Jamestown in Balloch all had made the journey on a blustery winter's night to share in this major step in John's Ministerial career. Following the formal Service of Induction there was a magnificent spread for everyone to enjoy in the Wilson Hall before returning to the Church for a short informal Social with presentations and musical items. Retiring Interim Moderator and Locum Minister took the chair before handing over to his successor after more than four years in charge. Rev John took over for the remainder of the programme which he closed by thanking everyone for the part they had played in making this very important step in his career so enjoyable.

It  was a cold winter's night  with sub-zero temperatures outside, but there was plenty of warmth and happiness inside Dalmilling Church on Friday night for our Annual Christmas Concert.
We might have been short on audience numbers but we were not short on real talent.
The Salvation Army supported us well and got proceedings off to a great start and putting us in the right mood for Christmas with a rousing March, 
Scott Nicol with Debbie Campbell and Elly Priestnall gave us a great  set of contemporary and original songs -great Talents who had the audience clapping and tapping their feet. 
Our very own Jennifer McCutcheon entertained us on the Violin with popular and classical medleys and Rebecca Parkhill - a star of the future treated us to a couple of solos accompanied by her mum, Wendy.
The audience had a chance to make a contribution to the programme by singing two Christmas Carols accompanied by the Band
Bobby Irvine, Leader of the Salvation Army Band, enthralled us all with his superb rendition of "In The Deep Mid-Winter" before bringing the programme to a close with Stuart with a rendition of White Christmas.
A very enjoyable evening for those who did brave the Arctic conditions. Well done to all who  helped out behind the scenes and a big thank you to all our performers for their support and their exceptional talents.

Former Whitletts resident Lee Wilson, the son of Hannah & Allan Wilson now living in Auchterarder, knew he had some relatives in the Toronto area of Canada but did not know where. Lee contacted a local Canadian Newspaper and asked the Editor if he could help find any relatives, and was delighted he was able to put him in touch with a long lost relative -Vanessa Bingham , who was so delighted that contact had been established with Lee, she and partner Matt made the trip to Scotland.
Lee and his wife brought the couple to Auchincruive Churchyard and were able to see the actual gravestones marking the final resting places of her Great Great Grandparents and Great Great Aunts and Uncles.
Session Clerk, David McMahon, was visiting the Church on business and was able to give the folks a tour of the Church and the Graveyard and give a wee bit of the history to the visitors and also to bring back some happy memories to Lee of the times he spent at Auchincruive Church with his Mum & Dad.
We thank you for your generous donation and hope you enjoy your visit to the land of your forefathers and have a  safe trip back to Canada. All the best!

There was a very good turnout at our Remembrance Service in Dalmilling Church, the Act of Remembrance at Dalmilling War Memorial on Sunday 10th November.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of South Ayrshire District Council,The British Legion(Prestwick Branch),  Ayr St.Quivox Parish Church, Brownies and local Families.
It was a cold, bright day and many were able to enjoy some fine warming Soup & Sandwiches in the Wilson Hall.
There was a special mention of our Bugler, Philip Craig, who has sounded the Last Post at Remembrance Services for the past 65 years - What a record!!

On Wednesday 8th October 15 members and friends made the trip by car to the West End of Glasgow, just off Byers Road to pay a visit to St Lukes Greek Orthodox Cathedral. We received a very warm welcome from the Priest, Father Mark, and once inside the Gothic Style Cathedral which was formerly a Church of Scotland, with the interior now transformed in the Orthodox Style . Father Mark - a Scotsman! - gave us a very interesting talk on the slightly complicated history of the Orthodox Church and its origins in Glasgow. In its early days the main Congregation comprised of the inhabitants of two villages in Cyprus, all of whom had migrated here to work for the well known and very successful Restaurateur & Hotelier Mr Reo Stakis - who eventualy bought the Church from the C.O.S. - and is owned by the Reo Stakis Trust. Father Mark explained how Services were run, and demonstrated to us how the Bible lessons are not read, but sung, and also explained the significance of the impressive display of Icons decorating the walls, There were a number of questions from our Group which Father Mark dealt with in his  own inimitable style before taking us all to enjoy the warmth of the Hall to enjoy teas & coffees and Tattie scones and Pancakes from our Leader Margaret, Soon it was time to face the rush hour traffic back to Ayrshire, but not before Margaret and Rev. Ken had thanked Father Mark for his special hospitality which we all enjoyed. ​
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