MINISTER'S MESSAGE
Kilsyth Burns & Old Parish Church is presently "vacant". Our Interim Moderator is Rev Stuart Irvin of Torrance Parish Church. Our most recent minister, Rev Bob Johnston was ordained and inducted back in 2017 and earlier on this year, he demitted. We are now carefully and prayerfully navigating Glasgow Presbytery's Mission Plan and how that relates to the Church of Scotland Parishes in Kilsyth.
A reflection with regards to the upccoming 50th anniversary of the Union.
​
Names, and their meanings, are important. We can think carefully of what they convey. We see this in the names we encounter in the bible and we see this in the names used by churches, including your own. I shall go on to reflect as such.
On a somewhat tangential note - I wonder if you've ever taken time to look into your own name? I am led to believe that my name, Stuart, connects the word "Steward". Over the years I have, indeed, had the opportunity to steward at events and don a high-viz jacket. On a more whimsical note though, I have often stated at rambunctious youth groups when there is a decision needing made about some game or the likes, that we have a "Stuart's Enquiry". In contrast to a more formal Steward's Enquity, I, as Stuart, get the task of making a final ruling on the matter. I am happy to defer this to other Stuarts that may be present; if their name is spelt "Stewart" though I wonder if they can lay greater claim or not?
In the spiritual side, away from deciding the outcome of a game at a youth group, names are important. Perhaps one of the best known examples of this is that which we will have recalled during Advent and Christmas "He shall be called 'Emanual' meaning God with us" Matthew 1: 23. At Torrance Parish Church, we have recently started a series on Elijah. His name means 'Yahweh is my God'. This is a pertinent contrast to the King, Ahab, whom he spoke against: someone who had rejected the Lord's ways.
​
What about Churches? Your own name, Kilsyth Burns & Old, represents a rich and significant history of the Kirk in Kilsyth. As is reflected in many places in Scotland, woven into the story is triumph over division that once disrupted and divided the common witness of the Church.
The history of the Disruption in the Church of Scotland in 1843 is one that brings about many challenges - congregations split. This must have brought much pain and hurt, let alone cost.
​
Yet the other side of that, from 1929 onwards where churches would come together there was a path towards being united in faith, story and vision. A careful study of your own name shows, I believe, that though there was a story of division now there is one of union. Is it not an encouragement when we think of how this reflects the beautiful news that we are one in Christ Jesus?
​
We of course touch on these things as we look to the chapters ahead for a uniting and united church in Kilsyth and District. In my role as Interim Moderator, I hope to steward(!) you well in this matter but it is certainly my prayer that in forming as one church, there would be a shared heart and vision for reaching the people of Kilsyth and beyod for Jesus.
Rev Stuart
A letter from Rev Kenneth MacLeod at Anderson
​
I have been invited to introduce myself; here goes. I was born and grew up on the island of Lewis; the eldest of four, and given the name Kenneth Donald.
Following schooling, I worked for the family grocery business. However, after ten years, and following a conversion experience and call to serve the Lord Jesus within His church, I returned to full time education eventually graduating in 1987.
It was during my time in Glasgow that Kathleen and I were married. She was a student studying in the Glasgow Bible College and we have been blessed with a family of three: David, Mairi and Ruth; Ruth who is married to Luc and we were doubly blessed when wee Samuel, our grandson, was born.
In 1989 I was inducted to 'Lochs-in-Bernera' a small parish on the west side of Lewis, and in 2000 moved to Easter Ross, having received a call from the vacant charge of Invergordon . . . Ross County FC territory!
With retirement in November 2019 came a move to the central belt, initially Torrance, then Cumbernauld in November 2020. My plan was to take a six month sabbatical before thinking about Sunday supply or doing locum work.
However, Covid soon put a stop to that idea. The old saying 'If you want to make God smile, tell Him your plans' is so true. We never know what's around the next corner, but we know that God is sovereign in all things, and eternally faithful.
God, speaking to His people through the prophet Jeremiah, said "For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart". Jeremiah 29: 11-13.
God's plans may be different to our plans, but we have to acknowledge that 'His ways are above our ways and His thoughts above our thoughts'. Isaiah 55: 8-9.
Jeremiah has to remind the people that God's ways are always best, for He knows what He is doing. God's plans offer safety, security, a hope filled and blessed and prosperous future; Trust Him.
That's easy to 'Trust and Obey' when the road is smooth, the weather is favourable and our strength is assured, less so when the road seems rugged and endless, the weather threatening, the challenges many and when our physical and spiritual strength is almost depleted . . . . But that is precisely what we are asked to do; Trust Him.
Your brother in Christ
Kenneth
Kenneth D MacLeod