Summer 2026

From the Manse

Dear friends and members of the Girvan Valley Church,

Greetings from the manse family. As summer arrives and the days stretch long with light, I find myself grateful once again for the gentle rhythms God builds into our lives. Seasons remind us that life is not meant to be rushed from task to task, but received — slowly, gratefully, and with open hands.

Summer invites us to breathe a little deeper. To notice the warmth on our faces. To listen to the laughter of children playing. To enjoy the beauty of creation in full bloom. And perhaps most importantly, to remember that rest is not a luxury but a gift from God.

Jesus Himself often withdrew to quiet places — not to escape people, but to renew His soul by spending quality time with His heavenly Father.

My hope is that each of us finds moments this summer to do the same. Whether you are travelling, gardening, walking along the shore, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea by an open window, may you sense God’s presence beside you.
Here in our church family, summer also gives us space to reflect on the year so far. We give thanks for one church wedding, two infant and 5 adult baptisms. Please remember the families in your prayers. For many its new beginnings, faithful service, and the quiet acts of kindness that often go unseen but never unnoticed by God. We also hold in prayer those for whom summer brings loneliness, worry, or grief. May we continue to be a community where no one walks alone.
As we look ahead to the coming months, let us carry with us the words of Psalm 121: “The Lord will watch over your going out and your coming in, both now and forevermore.” Whether your summer is busy or restful, joyful or challenging, God goes with you.

May this season bring you refreshment of body, renewal of spirit, and reminders of God’s unfailing love. Note: If any one needs a pastoral visit please contact me directly or through any church elder.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

With every blessing,
Your Minister, Rev Peter Gill

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

Boys' Brigade

15th Motherwell Boys’ Brigade

We are fortunate to have hosted three visiting boys brigade camping groups in the church in recent weeks. The boys enjoyed lots of fun activities including swimming in the sea and catching crabs from the harbour .This pic shows some of the 15th Motherwell Boys brigade assisting with ringing the bells before church ! Hope to see you next year lads !

19th Motherwell Boys’ Brigade

A large group of boys and their leaders camped in the church halls in the heatwave of the May weekend 22-25 May. The boys particularly enjoyed water sports - kayaking and paddle boarding and were also great at ringing the church bells on Sunday morning “

Girvan Boys’ Brigade:

Our BB session has come to an end.

Over the last term we learned about the RSPB bird watch and made bird feeder with the elders on their visit with us. We also built bird houses. Our company section continued to learn life skills and built a wooden marble run. We celebrated the boys’ achievements with the awards being presented during church service on the 10th of May. We then had our end of year outing to the Quay Zone for a pool party with the kind donation we received from the jars of grace.

To continue next session we need to recruit new leaders as I am now the only BB leader, and we always need at least 2 leaders present if you're or anyone you know is interested in this role please speak to me ASAP. Have a lovely Summer.

Cooper

Harvest Thanksgiving Service

Our Harvest Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday 27 September at 11 a.m. The church will be open on Saturday 26 September from 10 a.m. until 12 noon when any donations can be handed in. After the Service, the gifts will be donated to the local Food Bank and Duff Street Kitchen. Pastoral Care Team

Book of Remembrance

There is now an opportunity to put memorials in the book of remembrance. The session agreed to use the book that came from the South Parish
There is a space for each day of the year allowing for a memorial of a loved one on their birthday or date of passing
The book will be on display in the Memorial Chapel
For information or to arrange a memorial please contact Jimmy Lindsay jimmylindsay85@gmail.com

Craft Group

The church Craft Group started in September 2025, we have a membership of 21 and an average attendance of 15/16. We enjoy a time of fellowship and share our talents in knitting, embroidery, crochet and patchwork.
Members contributed items for both the Christmas and Spring church sales. Easter chickens were well received.
Socially we enjoyed a Christmas lunch and finished the year going for afternoon tea.
The group will resume in September, anyone is welcome to join us Mauraid Anderson

Spring Fayre

I would like to thank everyone who made our Spring Fayre on 18th April so successful. Thank you to everyone who assisted on the stalls, served Tea/Coffees and replenished the food plates, who also kept our helpers supplied with refreshments which was very much appreciated. All our kitchen staff who keep the whole thing ticking over with clean dishes and supplies. I would also like to thank all our home bakers and everyone who so kindly donated other things for our stalls and of course everyone who attended or bought a ticket but couldn’t manage. Our total was £1413.41, I know there has been some other money handed in since so I am not sure of the actual final total. Thank you all again.
Sylvia Stewart and Team.

Barr Local Mission Church

Nothing signals the arrival of Spring quite like newborn lambs skipping through the fields, daffodils lining the roadside, buds appearing on the trees, and of course the days stretching out longer and generally brighter (hail showers notwithstanding!!) .

With the arrival of the new season, Barr Local Mission Church (Barr LMC) has filled the calendar with a variety of events and activities for all ages to enjoy. From community gatherings and family-friendly celebrations to reflective services and opportunities for fellowship, there has been something for everyone to take part in as we welcome this season of renewal and hope.

For Christians Easter is very special time, marking the rebirth of Christ - the triumph of love over death. Barr LMC has taken every opportunity to celebrate the Easter story, opening with an Ash Wednesday Service led by Beth McDowell followed by successive Lent Services delivered by Rev Peter Gill, Beth McDowell, Rob Newsham and the Girvan Worship Team (Ken Johnston, Lorna Dunn and Jan McCrorie).

Punctuating our Church Services Sarah Nelson has taken time out of her very busy farming and school schedule to organize ‘Easter Craft’ sessions throughout March and April for our younger members of the community. As well as creating amazing artwork to adorn the church these sessions provide an outreach to younger generations.

Rob Newsham has also engaged with Barr Primary School to conduct a school Easter Service for the pupils and their parents/carers on 1 April. A family event, this was very well received by the school and community. The Maundy Thursday Service included Foot Washing & Holy Communion, followed by the Easter Sunday Service marked the closing of this special season.

The regular Thursday afternoon ‘Tea n’Toast ‘gatherings continue providing social and fellowship opportunities for the community. It has been wonderful to see village newcomers visiting the church on these occasions too.

As summer beckons with a lull in the ecclesiastical calendar there will be time for some much needed repairs, housekeeping and gardening -weather permitting of course!