The Guild

Business concluded, the evening took the form of the members being involved in the entertainment. "Round Robin" stories involved the convener giving a one-line introduction and the members took turns to add to the stories through humour and any other means that suited the topic. There were a lot of happy interludes when "I remember" was involved in the story telling. The inhouse entertainment provided an interesting if different kind of Guild meeting. Closing hymn was 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty', followed by a Blessing including the words, 'Just as the seasons need the element of change, we need you in our ever changing lives. Lord for this we are truly blessed.

The Guild met on February 17, with 'Help us to know your love deep in our hearts and enable that love to flow from us to those with whom we are in contact'. 'Let us build a house where prophets speak' was sung and Lorna White read from 'Luke 10 vs 38 - 41, Jesus visits Martha. Prayer followed.

Five members had visited St George's Guild on February 3 and had reported having a great evening. The topic was the twinning of a Presbyterian Congregation in Zambia with the Congregations of Dunscore, Moniaive and Glencairn. Between 2007-2008 there has been visits to Zambia and a visit from the Zambians to these parishes. The groups are learning how to work together. The wealth of the local Congregations in the aforementioned churches allows them to give practical help to the congregation of 500 in Zambia. 200 children attend Sunday School. The fundraising has enabled a bore-hole to be created giving clean water, a school to be built, computers bought, a mini bus bought, instruments for their own band. The Zambian Army are giving tuition to the band. The locals dug trenches, made bricks and constructed the school themselves within their own community. Street children come to the school and are given food and fellowship wherever there is the greatest need. If families have money to buy a bag of rice they share what they have with their neighbours. Local ladies give help to those who are suffering from HIV/Aids.

All money raised within our local Congregations is put into the World Mission Fund at 121 George Street in Edinburgh. The full amount raised is transferred to the Zambian Congregation's bank account which allows those involved in running the Church there full autonomy over any income they are fortunate enough to receive. Anyone wishing to donate to this wonderful twinning should contact the Rev Christine Sime.

Nine members visited Mouswald Guild on February 11 and had a lovely time singing along with the Village Singers from Eaglesfield. Fellowship and supper at both meetings was superb as always. Members were asked to help out at the Guild Coffee Morning on March 7 in whatever way they could. This is the annual fund raising event for the Guild.

The Presbyterial Council will hold the Annual Spring Rally in Maxwelltown West Church on March 11 at 7.30pm. Members were encouraged to attend this meeting and support their Guild. A proposed theatre trip and supper for May 5 was agreed on with names being taken.

The annual Guild summer outing was discussed and suggestions sought for the next meeting. The speaker for the evening was Colin Powell from The Eden House which is the children's wing of The Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle. He gave a powerpoint presentation on the Hospice accompanied by an informative talk. Rosalind Fraser gave the vote of thanks. Closing hymn was 'Think of a world without any flowers' which was followed by a Blessing.