Girvan Valley Church of Scotland News Spring 2026
From the Manse
Dear members and friends of the Girvan’s valley church.
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was wonderful to celebrate our first Christmas and New Year with you in Girvan.
Now lent season is starting on 18th February Good Friday on 3rd of April and Easter on the 5th of April 2026.
Time is flying but the Lord remains faithful, gracious, and compassionate to every one of us generation after generation.
On 4th of January, I had honour of baptising my grandson Timothious George Gill at Portobello Parish Church.
His grandmother, Saboohi, presented him with an incredibly special clergy bib, accompanied by her heartfelt blessings. I wonder if anyone can identify what makes this bib so unique, and notice the common theme reflected in the photograph of four generations gathered in one room.
The bib itself carries added meaning, as it was lovingly hand‑knitted by one of our church members. We have received lots of cards and gifts for our grandson from our Girvan Church family.
We appreciate your support, sharing and caring agape unconditional love.
I am always delighted when asked to visit any church family member. So please feel free to contact me directly on my mobile number or through any church elder.
Home Communion can be arranged on request.
Kindest regards,
Your minister,
Peter
The Outreach and Mission Team
Our thanks, first of all, must go to all the members of the congregation who give so generously to all the projects
that are organised throughout the year. Without that support we could not do all the events we do.
As usual the donations for the Harvest Thanksgiving was organised by by Janet and her team with the food distributed to Duff Street Kitchen and the Food Bank at Milestone Church. Thanks is due to Janet and her team for all their hard work and all those who donated foodstuffs to the Harvest Thanksgiving
The Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal collected 220 boxes this year. This was a huge increase on the 151 boxes collected last year!! Our thanks once again to Anna, Irene and Margaret Murdoch for the work needed in preparing the boxes and arranging for them to be picked up. Of course all this could not be done without the generous support of the congregation and the Girvan community, so thanks once again to all who support this very worthwhile project. We know from feedback from Blythswood that the boxes are very welcome and the people who receive them very grateful as they often have very little to celebrate at Christmas. It reminds them that someone is thinking of them.
The funds raised for Crossreach this year was £186.00 from the sale of Christmas cards and calendars. This money was sent to Crossreach and Church of Scotland organisation which specialises in social care and homes for the young and the elderly in need. It is not a particularly well-known organisation but it is in fact the largest social care organisation in Scotland.
The Malawi Craft Table raised £236.36. Many thanks to all the Crafters in the town who spent a lot of time and effort in producing the goods for sale. This money will be added to Malawi account and will be passed on to Likoma Island when they let us know of the next stage of the project for rebuilding the church.
Jan McCrorie’s Christmas Tree Appeal is going from strength to strength. This year the congregation donated 61 presents. These were given to local people in the Girvan community who were unlikely to get much at Christmas and included people in a wide age range, from the very young to the very old. We know that all the presents were well received by folk in the town. Once again the congregation rose to the occasion and gave generously..
Events in the future will be the counting of the Jars of Grace and a collection for the Girvan Food Bank. Dates for these 2 events will be announced shortly so please watch out for the information in the Pew Leaflet.
The Outreach and Mission Team
Our Givings
Thank you to all the members who signed a Gift Aid form after the article in the last magazine. This is much appreciated. It really is a simple form to complete and it makes SUCH a difference to the church income. In January I was able to claim £4650 tax back from HMRC for donations given Sept – Dec 2025.This was at no extra cost to our members. If you are a tax payer, please ask Joyce Mills or myself for a form.
It is now the norm to pay for our electricity, gas, insurance etc by Bank Standing Order. Please consider making your donations to the church by this way too if you don’t already do so. We have forms to complete and give to your bank or to the Hub.
If, like me, you have had a Bank Standing Order for a number of years, and haven’t reviewed your givings for some time, perhaps now is the time. Or have you changed the amount you put in your FWO envelope each week?
Maybe you haven’t been at church or given anything to the church for a long time. Please consider helping to maintain our church in Girvan, and our Mission Churches in Dailly and Barr.
Margaret Benson
Interim Treasurer
Pastoral Care Team
We are here to support the minister with his pastoral work and accompanying him for home communion If you are feeling a bit isolated or just needing someone to talk to we have members willing to come and see you in your home for a chat and a cuppa. We also arrange the carpool team who pick up people and bring them to church on Sunday. If you require any of these service’s, please let one of the team know or your elder
We are always looking for more drivers for the carpool if you are willing to assist
Jimmy Lindsay Team Leader
Dailly Local Mission Church
In preparation for the move from the Church to the hall, representatives of Dailly Local Mission Church, Girvan Valley Church, met with General Trustees representative. Esme Greenan to discuss the requirements required to make the hall usable for worship. Work is required both internally and externally to the building. Estimates are already required to keep both buildings wind and waterproof.
Remember Tuesday morning, 10:30 to 12:00 AM for joining us at the hall for tea, coffee, and a happy atmosphere and all are welcome.
Dog Quiz
The excellent sum of £415 was raised for Church Funds. Sincere thanks to everyone who participated and sold quizzes. Your support is much appreciated.
The winner of the quiz was Mrs Janice Wilson, Elder Avenue.
The answers to the quiz are as follows:-
1 King Charles Spaniel 2 Whippet 3 Great Dane 4 St Bernard 5 Labrador or Newfoundland
6 Pointer 7 Pinscher 8 Collie 9 Skye Terrier 10 Kelpie 11 Husky 12 Beagle 13 Dingo
14 Corgi 15 Pit Bull 16 Dalmation 17 Pug 18 Boxer 19 Pekingese 20 Mastiff 21 Chihuahua
22 Pomeranian 23 Afghan Hound 24 Doberman 25 Rottweiler
Hope you had fun! Many thanks. Margaret
Bowling Club
Our Girvan Valley Church Carpet Bowling Club has now resumed following the Christmas break. We meet in the large hall at 7.00pm on Wednesday evenings. If you fancy a night of great socialisation and friendly competition, please join us. All welcome.
Ladies Afternoon Badminton Club.
We enjoyed a lovely end‑of‑term afternoon tea before Christmas, with plenty of nibbles, tea, coffee, and other refreshments. A big thank‑you to the ladies who provided all the delicious goodies — they were much appreciated.
New members are always welcome.
The club will continue to meet until Wednesday, 29 April 2026.. Nancy.
Shoe Box Appeal
Shoe Box Appeal gift filled boxes awaiting uplift.
Shoe Box Appeal gift filled boxes loaded and ready to be delivered
Boys’ Brigade
We started back in September and have been busy learning the story of Noah’s Ark. We also learnt all about the Red Arrows which lead us on to remembrance Sunday that our company section took part in. At Christmas we had a party and the company section went out to Yasmins for a lovely meal. Since we started back in January we are looking at the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) great bird watch and the company section are building a wooden marble run. Carrie
THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!
Your efforts have filled Girvan Valley Church with Advent joy. Our team Christmas tree stands as a shining reminder of hope, community, and celebration.
A special thank‑you as well to the Beetle Drive team for organizing such a wonderful event and bringing everyone together.
Church Diary
Food Bank Uplift – Sunday 22nd March
Rev Peter G Gill, Holiday – Sunday 22nd March
Palm Sunday, Food Bank Uplift – Sunday 29th March
Annual Stated Meeting – Sunday 29th March
Easter Communion/ Passover Service – Wednesday 1st April – Wednesday Break
SCCT Stumpy Good Friday Service – Friday 3rd April, Noon
SCCT Girvan Valley Church Good Evening Service – Friday 3rd April 7:00pm
Spring Fayre – Saturday 18th April