Our Spring Concert in Dalmilling Church and featuring the Cantanti Singers, Laurie Gargan on Trumpet with son Lochlan on Guitar, and our very own Jennifer McCutcheon on Violin, attracted a good audience and managed to raise a very useful £715.00 for our Fabric Fund. Thanks are due to our Performers, to the Events Committee for all their hard work behind the scenes, without their help we would not have a Concert, and to all who donated prizes for our Prize Draw. Well done everyone!
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The weather turned warmer just in time for the Walking Group's first outing of the new season to the Eglinton Park Estate near Kilwinning.On Sat. 14th April, we had our first walk of the year. 5 of us including Rev. Rona visited Eglinton Country Park and, as it was our first walk, we did a short 3 mile walk around the Park. We started at the Visitor Centre and walked along the Riverside path towards the Tournament Bridge (an elaborate Victorian structure) and the Castle ruins.
The lands of Eglinton were held by the Montgomerie family for many centuries. As a reward for service to King James 1V, they were granted the title Earls of Eglinton in the 16th century. At the end of the 18th century Hugh, the 12th Earl, decided he needed a new house and this was finished in 1802. It was called a castle though it never had any defensive purpose. The family’s fortunes later declined and the castle was abandoned and all that remains today is one tower and fragments of wall. Archibald, 13th Earl of Eglinton wanted to recognise Queen Victoria’s coming to the throne so arranged a medieval style Tournament where as many as 100,000 attended. From the ruin we walked down to the Lugton Water which we crossed and followed the path beside the loch eventually walking through dark wood and back to the Visitor Centre. It was a pity that it was rather wet and muddy underfoot but it didn’t spoil our enjoyment of the walk. We will be a little more adventurous for our next walk! Although a bit damp underfoot in places, there were signs of Spring all around and there were plenty of families out enjoying some fresh air before returning to school after the Easter break This was a fairly short and easy walk to get our season underway and we look forward to more of our group joining us for future walks. New walkers would be most welcome.. Early-morning Easter Service The weather was 'fresh', but stayed dry at Dalmilling, as just under twenty members and friends gathered to celebrate Easter at our traditional early morning Outdoor Service led by Rev. Ken Yorke.
All present at the short service then moved indoors where they enjoyed a breakfast of hot Bacon Rolls and Hot Cross Buns together, prior to main Church Easter Service. We were glad to welcome Ian Fulton's twin brother David who, with his wife and family had travelled all the way from Somerset to enjoy a short holiday in Scotland. Elizabeth Brechany receiving her Elder's Long Service Award from Rev, Kenneth Yorke. it was a proud day on Sunday for Church Elder Elizabeth Brechany when, during the Service in Auchincruive Church, she was presented with a Certificate to honour her 30 years as an Elder of Ayr St. Quivox Parish Church by Interim Moderator Rev. Ken Yorke.
Rev. Ken explained to the congregation that in addition to her 30 years as an Elder, Elizabeth has served the Church in many other ways, in the Sunday School and as Editor and Producer of our Quarterly Magazine, in addition to having direct involvement either in front or behind the scenes of all that has been happening down the years, and thanked her for her commitment and dedicated service to the Church, particularly in the Dalmilling neighbourhood area. The Ayr St. Quivox Congregation were honoured to receive a welcome visit at Auchincruive from the Moderator of Ayr Presbytery, the Rev. David Gemmell, Minister at Ayr Auld Parish Church. The Moderator brought the good wishes of Ayr Presbytery and the Congregation of his own Church and presented the Rev. Ken Yorke, Interim Moderator and locum Minister at Ayr St. Quivox with a Quaich to mark his visit.
Rev. Gemmell, at last, was able to fulfil a long-held ambition to preach at Auchincruive Church, and he had the opportunity to dedicate a new Lectern Falll which had been designed and crafted by Eileen Williams, Pat Johnson, Margaret McConnell and Katherine Black, all members of The Sewing Corner who meet weekly at Dalmilling Church, and who had worked hard over the past 3 months to produce this dazzling piece, which no doubt, will add a welcome splash of colour and interest to Auchincruive. Rev.Gemmell, illustrated his Sermon with the aid of some thought provoking Projector Slides and encouraged us, although a small Congregation, who were having some success - but probably did not realise it - "to Dream BIG Dreams" and have the courage to reach for the Stars! Over a cup of tea and a slice of Liz's delicious gingerbread, Rev Gemmell said how much he had enjoyed his visit to Auchincruive, and, so did we!! Haste ye back David! A New Year Pen from Ken
Have you ever had the experience of buying a new car. In my car sales days I used to love to see the excitement on the faces of many of my customers when I delivered their brand new car. In the 1960’s many new cars went on to the roads on the first day of January. So the new year was for many a very exciting time. There is something special about a new car, it’s smell, it’s appearance, it’s newness! It is an exciting experience for the new and first owner. Of course there are other new things that can excite us! A new house. A new pet. A new washing machine! Something different perhaps so something to excite in an often humdrum world. The New Testament says of Jesus that he can make all things new. What on earth does that mean? Well, it means that when you listen to and take on board the things that Jesus says and then try to put them into practice you become a new person. Jesus can lift is out of the humdrum way of life into a life with value and meaning and purpose. We talk a lot at the start of a new year about weight loss and diets and exercise. Certainly the body needs these things. But the Bible says we are more than body! We are body and spirit and our spirits need exercise just as much as our bodies. When Christians come together to worship they are participating in spiritual exercise which is refreshing for their spirits. In worship people are reaching out to God and when they do this God embraces them, encourages them, and reveals his love for them. This lifts people from the humdrum and sets them off to face the journey of life with a new confidence and with new hope. This has been the experience of millions of people down through the years and is the experience of many today. Jesus can make all things new for us. Don’t just take my word for it. Try it! Here is a wee slideshow of some of the photos taken at Fridays Concert. The Marquee was a spectacular venue - a great success!
Good fun at Enterkine House HotelThe Palatial Marquee at the Enterkine House Hotel proved to be a marvellous setting for our fund-raising Live Musical Evening on Friday last. We had an audience of more than a hundred who enjoyed a programme of varied styles of music from local five piece multi instrumental band BROCH ranging from Killiecrankie to the FOO FIGHTERS.
Local Choral Group CANTANTI showed everyone just how much fun and enjoyment you can have being a member of a Choir - and it certainly was infectious - as they treated us to a feast of wonderful arrangements of Songs from the Shows that had the audience clapping for more. Marjorie Beattie travelled all the way from Newcastle, Ontario in Canada to sing for us and treated us to favourite songs from Scotland and Ireland, as well as a Sacred Hymn, which were well received and enjoyed by the audience. Jennifer McCutcheon, our very own Church Organist showed just how talented she is by playing selections of both Classic and Traditional Scottish Music which had hands clapping and feet tapping in time to wonderful Tunes. During a break for Teas and Coffees the tables were literally groaning with a huge selection of Home Baking and Cakes supplied by our Church members and greatly enjoyed by everyone - several times! A Raffle was held with many prizes again donated by our Congregation with A top prize of a Four-Ball at St. Nicholas Golf Club generously donated by the Club, won by Douglas Boyd, a Luxury High Tea for four donated by the Enterkine House Hotel, won by Jeanette Whyte, and a special Scent Lamp brought from Canada by Marjorie Beattie. The total raised from the Raffle was £279, and this added to our ticket sales, less minimal expenses, added up to a magnificent total of £1,000 going to our Church Funds. We are extremely grateful to the Enterkine House Hotel for providing the Marquee free of charge and to each of the performers who freely gave of their time and talents to support our fund-raising efforts for Ayr St. Quivox Parish Church. A great night was had by all. The new Mr. and Mrs. Campbell about to drive off, in the sunshine, to their Wedding Reception in Lochgreen House Hotel, Troon, after their Wedding Ceremony in Auchincruive Church, St. Quivox .
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