Dot Getliffe

September 28, 2013 · 

Have left Shettleston New Church of Scotland now...sad wrench, but will catch up with these special folks before long, just wont have the same pastoral tie. Glad of the weekend to make the break and write some reflections. West Mearns is my only part-time Deacon's job for now, so I have headspace to give it my all.

This reminder on my Facebook page, made me realise how many different jobs I have had since my ordination as a Deacon. ... Development Co-Ordinator, Family Networker, now Locum minister.

 I guess some folks stay a long time in one job. I prefer the variety - keeps me from getting bored! Sadly we had to close down West Mearns Fresh Expression on Dec 31st 2014.

Last night's Glasgow Presbytery Mission Committee was stimulating. We are planning a Networking Event together in 2017 and were discussing where we could source practitioners from, who would deliver "how to" models of Mission which are going on.

Today, I have several phone calls to make, to set up pastoral visits tomorrow, need to look over my prep for Sunday, in the light of a very helpful comment from a colleague about how to encourage folks to listen instead of chat during the taking of the offering......Have a good day, ya all ( American accent required!?) 

Rewarding day

Hi folks, hung out some sheets to dry
              went to gym
              fed cat
              worked on this Sunday's service
              made dinner ( chilli...yum yum)
              heard from someone from last job-
              destroyed jigsaw..need a new one
              got a new thriller from Library
              answered emails and texts
              arranged to visit a hospitalee
              did learning intentions and outcomes for a primary School Harvest Assembly (I'm rusty at this!)
              fed cat again
              about to watch tv and put ye feet up
       

Parish Groupings!

Thursday Sept 15th
Very pleased to be part of a  three-way Parish Grouping in my new job.
Have always thought it made sense not to heat and light two or three churches which were reasonably close together, when one venue filled up was a) more practical and b) more Christian (celebrating diversity and unity, loving each other by worshipping and working together esp in outreach work which everybody finds challenging!!
Lovely to have these times  4 times a year and at 1630-1800:- good use of time as we get a take away.
( I had a baked potato...ooo....others had fish suppers)
Pastoral needs are coming in, so I shall sign off. Looking forward to taking the first part of this Sunday's Worship, with Rev Diane Stewart leading us into Communion.

I know what I said yesterday, but it's a woman's privilege to ..... her.... ( complete the puzzle)
Today was excellent. About 10 of us Deacons including a lovely lady from the Methodist Church in Netherton, Wishaw, joined us.
Our topic was "Unless you become as a little child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven"
We explored what makes children children e.g their sense of wonder, exploration, acceptance of others, their freedom and honesty and much much more
Then we discovered how Jesus Himself had many of these characteristics, so God must love children
Well we knew that didn't we? But sadly some of our churches are not child friendly- vis a vis "shhh shh" or an off putting tut ! ( not to be confused with an off tutting putt, which golfers experience)
We shared some personal memories of our own childhoods, and our early feelings about Sunday School
 ( a name which should be changed to something more creative !!!)
Much to reflect upon. Our leader was Yvonne McCorquidale, who is a most practical theologian and play therapist with children from under privileged/ and or additional learning needs. Superb!

Radio Silence for a week or so !

First Worship Service last Sunday was a bit of a guddle as I let my mindset do the cartwheels necessary to adjust to new people, new sanctuary, and new streets to get to know!
Since it's forbidden ( wisely by Church of Scotland) to post anything where real folks can be identified, I am going RADIO( BLOGSPOT) SILENCE for a wee while, as I adjust. It's too much of a temptation for me to blog about daily happenings and meetings when I am just settling in, so......see you in a bit
Thanks for your understanding if you are reading this. I'm sure others have interesting blogs too!!!!???
But PLEASE come back to me !

Nightmare on W Street !

My Mum used to tell me that dreams go by opposites. I do hope so in this case!
Last night, this was my dream:
1) I stood up to do my Childrens talk, and couldn't find my bag with visual aids in it. ( Someone in the new congregation who was uber-tidy had plonked the bag under the stage ( !?) so I couldn't see it. Panic No 1
2) The Bible reader had not turned up so I decided just to do it myself. But my glasses were nowhere to be seen, and the bible I was given was falling apart, and the passage I wanted wasn't there !
3) Then I looked out before the sermon and there were only 2 people there, and just as I began, more people began to arrive- loads of families that I couldn't here myself speak. They all started chatting to each other round about me and drowned out the sermon.
4) Then the organist started playing music which also covered up my voice, till I gave up.
5) At coffee time everyone spoke to one another over the top of me, so I left ( it gets worse!?)

I was walking home ( having found my bag under the stage) but it was dark and raining and I had to climb up and down slippery hillocks till I came across groups of men on either side of a short tunnel with orange street lights shining through. I could see a way out but the blue t-shirt wearing lads wouldn't let me through on the left, and the green shirts just stared at me on the right. However I still made my way through them and the rain until I got through the dark tunnel, and woke up! Very vivid dream

I think it means I really care what impression I make on my new congregation tomorrow, and God would say to me...forget self, it's in My Hands. I use the weak to shame the strong, so be totally reliant on me.
My prayer has been that more children and families come to St E, so this is reflected in my dream.
Then the last bit is for me just to motor through my nerves and have courage to get on with it despite any perceived opposition, which may just be a figment of my imagination, like my dream!
Lord help me to forget it; take it from my mind. Replace it with happy memories that begin tomorrow!

Dinner Date !

Yesterday evening I was invited out by the WOP Group @ Eastwood ( Worship Outreach & Publicity)
"De doo wop wop wop dedoo wopwop"... .....  lovely meal at Orchard Park Hotel and so reasonable
- even tho I wasn't paying!       "de doo wop wop wop dedoo wopwop"  
Sorry two of the ladies couldn't make it.
This really IS the end! Thank you Eastwood for letting me cut my teeth on regular preaching- have loved it, and you all...

Met this week with St Enoch's Session Clerk at her home in Millerston. Good connection...finding out important stuff like "Who knows everyone and everything that's going on through the St E Grapevine??"
In this case, a lovely 84 year old, who "happens" to be the Bible reader this first Sunday.
Shall proceed to settle in and tell you bits and bobs in the days to come......