Decisions taken at the 2019 General Assembly have the potential to reshape the Church of Scotland at every level. To help Church members and congregations engage with the reform process, Life and Work has released a FREE four-page guide summarising the key decisions.

You can access HERE or visit www.lifeandwork.org/resources/general-assembly-supplement.

You can read the magazine’s full coverage of the General Assembly in the July issue of Life and Work, available from the 14th June. We trust you find this information to be useful and thank you for your on-going support of Life and Work.

Christian Aid Week: ‘All mums should live’

Sierra Leone is the world’s most dangerous place to become a mum. Every day 10 women die from giving birth. In Sawula district, the community struggle with a clinic which has no electricity and only two delivery beds.

Jebbeh is heavily pregnant but as her baby grows, it’s not joy that fills her heart, but fear. When Jebbeh’s sister Fatmata went in to labour, there were so few ambulances that Fatmata had no choice but to walk for three hours under the baking sun, to the nearest hospital. The journey was long and with every step Fatmata struggled to keep walking.

Jebbeh told us: ‘My sister was crying out with hunger. She died on the side of the road. She never gave birth.’

This Christian Aid Week, together, we can make childbirth safe for mums and babies. Through our gifts and prayers, we can help give the world’s poorest mums a chance to live.

Stand with mums

This Christian Aid Week, 12-18 May, our church is hosting Bellshill’s Big Sing on 12th May at 3.00pm you can support the work of Christian Aid by coming along.

Will you be a partner for change? If our church raised £300, it could help provide a new delivery bed so more mums like Jebbeh can deliver their babies safely.

If you’re looking for a church that is Central to Christ, Central to you and Central to Bellshill – then look no further! Here you will find a church and a people with a real heart and soul for worship, who enjoy fellowship and socialising throughout the week. We’re on a journey together, come and join us.

Worship takes place within Bellshill Central Parish Church on Sunday 5’th August at 11.00am when our theme for the week is Baptism, with readings from Genesis 8: 15-22 and Romans 6: 1-14. Hymns include Praise the Lord ye heaven’s adore him, Shine Jesus Shine, Saviour teach me day by day and This is the day of new beginnings. Summer choir meets on 5’th August at 10.00am in the Church Hall. Tea and Coffee is served in the Church Hall after this service.

Last Sunday we worshipped with friends at St Andrew’s Church for our last summer service for July, with the West Church also. We thank the preachers, organists and office bearers who have welcomed us throughout July.

Activities this week at Central Church:
• Wednesday– Music Makers and Shakers meets with classes at 10am and 11am.

SPONSORED RUN & WALK – Sunday 19’th August straight after the morning service. A four mile run/walk or a shorter route for those that prefer it. Sponsor forms available from Stan Cook this Sunday, and Alan Mathew from 5’th August. Everyone is invited! This is part of our summer fundraising initiative but also part of our BE HEALTHY summer programme.

SUMMER FUNDRAISERS – It’s that time of year again, when the Summer Fundraisers commence. You are invited to come and see Jane Aitken, our fantastic Fundraising leader, to collect £2 and during the summer months organise fun and interesting events, where you are able to grow your £2 into funds for our church. Last year included, Beetle Drives, Fun Runs, Cakes and Candy, Car Washes and much more. Please let us know what you are organising so we can publicise and share new among our friends and members.

E.U. Church School Uniform Bank – The “bank” is open Tues 31’st July, Thurs 2’nd August, Tues 7’th Aug and Thurs 9’th Aug from 1pm – 3pm. Have a cuppa and choose your uniforms. Please if you can support our friends at the EU Church in this worthwhile community venture.

POST CARDS TO CHURCH – As we approach the summer holidays send us postcards from your travels or just send us pictures to the Facebook page and we’ll share your messages each Sunday morning. Our church email address is bellshillcentral@gmail.com

PRAYER & COMMUNITY – Please visit our Prayer page on our website (look for the prayer button at the top) – there is an online prayer request form which will send your prayer direct to our minister, Rev Kevin. Prayer Requests – Our church has provided a Prayer Book which is situated in the main vestibule for anyone to pop in a note of concern or anxiety they would like prayer for. We are a Parish Church and are here for you in times of joy and sadness. Kevin is available to the local community to offer spiritual support or to simply offer prayer. If there is something that you think your local church could be doing to offer services and/or support to our local community please get in touch via the Minister, Session Clerk, Facebook or website – Our church email address is bellshillcentral@gmail.com

ADVANCE NOTICE DATES FOR DIARY’S

1. Sunday 5’th August 11am normal services resume at Bellshill Central Church, with the choir meeting at 10am.
2. Sunday 5’th August – Tea and Coffee served after the service
3. Sunday 12’th August – Church Magazine articles due to Lawson or Jean Kyle for the Autumn Magazine.
4. Sunday 19’th August – Sunday worship with BAPTISM, and Sponsored Run and Walk straight afterwards.
5. Sunday 2’nd September – Young Church groups resume for all school age children. Tea and coffee served after the service.
6. Sunday 9th September – Communion Service at 11.00am, with a retiring offering for St Andrew’s First Aid.
7. Tuesday 11’th September – Board and Session Meetings at 7.30pm. Papers available soon from minute clerks

ONLINE MINISTRY – Check out Kevin’s very own Youtube Channel where he reaches out to our local community sharing insight, thought and reflection, with his current journey called #21words. A link to his channel is available from our website, or simply look up Kevin de Beer. Subscribe and continue to follow his inspirational messages. Kevin’s latest video blogs include themes of Now, Nowhere or is it Now Here, Named, and Affirmed. Some videos have had nearly 300 views – help spread the news of Kevin’s online ministry far and wide – a truly worldwide church.

COMMUNITY BUILDINGS AVAILABLE FOR USE – Our hall and facilities are available at other times during the week and are available to be hired for one-off occasions or longer term lets. Please get in touch with us if you need a space to hire. We have installed Wi-Fi which means we can offer facilities for online events taking place in the church and halls. Visual display screens are fitted in our sanctuary and are ideal for conferences and presentations. Portable visual equipment can be made available for use in the Halls and Vestry. Please ask.

CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE ACTIVITIES – Should you be unable to attend worship but would like to share in the recorded services, you can do so LIVE each Sunday from 11:00am via the Church’s website http://www.bellshillcentral.wordpress.com – also our Facebook and our YouTube channel are updated regularly. You can find out more information on Sunday Services, Weekly activities and catch up with our services from our uploaded videos. We are LIVE on the Internet most Sunday mornings, and occasionally with other events we hold.

The EU church are once again organising the immensely popular School Uniform Bank. Details are on the poster below.