The Bicentenary Celebration of our Church Building is a wonderful way of reaching out to our community. We want to mark this historic occasion not just with our Church Family – but with the world around us.

Wanted: For an Exhibition about Mearns Kirk – Past and Present – we are looking for “Historic Artifacts” that have a connection to our church and the community around us. To update and add to the Mearns Kirk history book which is being revised, anything of interest would also be very much appreciated! All items would be carefully catalogued and returned to you. Please let us know first of all if you have an item that might be of interest. Photographs or paintings, notebooks, letters, posters, paraphernalia that have a connection with Mearns Kirk – be it 10 years ago or 20, 30, 50 years ago! Contact Andrea at the office, David, Marianne or Mandy, (see below).

Dates for 2012 meetings are as follows:

21st Feb, 19th Mar, 23rd Apr, 21st May, 18th Jun, 27th Aug, 1st Oct, 5th Nov, 3rd Dec.

Reply Cards:
During February the information leaflet about what we hope to do before and during our year of celebrations will be distributed around all districts and handed out at the doors on Sundays. Have a read and let us know what you think by ticking the boxes on the reply card!  The celebrations are for YOU – so please have your say!

The leaflet and cards were distributed during November, however, so far only 32 replies have been returned. With over 800 members, we should be able to get at least 200! If you have already replied we would like to thank you – there is no need to reply again (unless you have more to say – or would like to offer your help).

There are white boxes in the church entrance and down at the hall – so pop your card in next time you are at the Kirk.

School Arts Competition:

We have invited all Primary Schools and High Schools in our area to take part in an Art Competition. We are delighted to report that so far all Primary Schools, Maxwell Mearns and St. Ninians High School have entered.

We are looking for two types of entries:

1. “Mearns Kirk – throughout the Centuries”: Art work to contain a reference to Mearns Kirk and depict scenes from the past and/or the present.

2. Art work could also be in form of a Logo that combines the year 2013 and recognizable symbols relating to Christian faith and Mearns Kirk. The winning Logo would be used on banners, advertising and stationary during 2012 and during our year of celebrations.

Entries are to be submitted by the end of April this year. All entries will be displayed at an exhibition in May/June this year and winners will be chosen at that time.

Please go to our website at www.mearnsparishkirk.co.uk for more details.

Fund Raising:
Fund raising will start in earnest this spring to cover costs for the planned building improvements. More details will be available next month. In the meantime, if you wish more details or to make a donation, please speak to Joe.

History Exhibition:
For our history exhibition we are looking for old photographs or paintings, notebooks, letters, posters, paraphernalia that have a connection with Mearns Kirk in the past. All items would be carefully catalogued and returned to you. Please let us know first of all if you have an item that might be of interest. If you wish to pass on information or to find out more, please contact the Office any morning from 9-12 Noon.

Any Anecdotes?
Do you have any anecdotes which can be included in the updated history booklet about Mearns Kirk? Can you tell us what your Sundays used to be like and stories about what the Elders and church members got up to?

Here is a list of ideas so far:

The building:

1. Commemorative plaque to mark the occasion
2. Improvements to internal building (lighting, sound system, flooring etc) and external (steps, paths etc) in time for 2013.
3. Time Capsule similar to the one buried in 1932.
4. Celebratory Pulpit Fall.

Congregational and Community Involvement:

1. Anniversary Celebration Party
2. History Exhibition
3. Joint Choir evening with Parish Grouping
4. Concert  in Church or Hall
5. Theatre / Drama involving all ages
6. Arts & Crafts Exhibition
7. 2013 Legacy for a Charitable Cause.

Speakers: Moderator of the General Assembly and various others.

Publicity:

1. Updating and printing the history booklet
2. Big Banner to be displayed outside church
3. Feature in ‘Life & Work’

To pass on information or to find out more, please contact the Office any morning from 9-12 Noon.

Please get involved and come to the meetings – or simply send us your comments and ideas!

Contacts:
David Bremner - david.bremner@tiscali.co.uk
Mandy Stewart - Mandy@kilarden.co.uk
Marianne MacGregor – Marianne81@btinternet.com