Autumn 2026
As usual, our first event of the Church Year is the Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 27th September. The produce will be split between the Duff Street Kitchen and the Girvan Food Bank. Thanks are due to Janet and her team for setting up the display in the Church and to all those who donate to this worthwhile event.
The Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal, last year, was hugely supported by the congregation and by the wider Girvan community where we collected a marvellous total of 220 boxes. This the most we have ever sent to Blythswood. Hopefully we will be able to match that number this year. Once again thanks to Anna, Irene and Margaret Murdoch for their hard work in preparing the boxes and arranging for them to be picked up. We know from Blythswood that these boxes are very much appreciated by those that get them at Christmas time and it reminds them that someone is thinking of them at what can be a challenging time of year.
The Crossreach organisation is the social service run by the Church of Scotland. We raise money from the sale of Christmas cards and calendars to support their work. As the largest social care organisation in Scotland it is important that we support it in any way we can. Cards and calendars will be available to view shortly. Please give generously to the work of Crossreach.
The Christmas Tree Appeal is a very popular event. The congregation can donate Christmas presents which are given to local people in Girvan who are unlikely to get much at Christmas. This covers the whole age range from the very youngest children to older people. We know that all the presents are well received by the folk in the town. Look out for the wee Christmas tree in the vestibule of the church nearer Christmas or speak to Jan McCrorie.
We have been supporting Likoma Church in Malawi for the last 10 years in sending money to the congregation to assist in the building of a new church. As they approach the final stage of the work on the church, we feel that it is time to look for a new project. We will look at this after a break sometime in the future.
The Outreach and Mission Team
Pastoral Care Team
Church.
You can come curious.
You can come sceptical.
You can come sad, messy, or late.
You can come broken, weary, or searching.
You can come with questions or even with doubt.
Because here, you don’t have to be perfect—
you just have to be willing.
This is where grace meets you.
This is where love welcomes you.
This is where Jesus is waiting with open arms.
This is your invitation.
Won’t you come?
Harvest Thanksgiving
It was wonderful to see the contributions that were displayed at our Harvest Thanksgiving on 27 September to be shared with the Foodbank and Duff Street Kitchen. A big thank you to everyone who donated so generously.
Thanks also to everyone involved in setting up, the flower arrangements and distributing the gifts after the Service.
Pastoral Care Team
Craft Group
The new session has started and we were delighted to welcome back our regular members and introduce some new members.
We are fortunate to have members working on a variety of crafts including patchwork, cross stitch, felting, beadwork and knitting.
We meet on Thursday afternoon from 2 - 4 pm in the small hall. A cup of tea and a chat is also an essential part of our afternoon.
All welcome.
Margaret McDowall
Carpet Bowling Club:
Our Carpet Bowling Club will resume on Wednesday 7th October. We meet each Wednesday in the large hall from 7.00 - 9.00pm. If you fancy a fun evening of good-natured competition and friendly socialising, please join us. All welcome and no previous experience necessary
Gifts for Christmas
What a wonderful response by the congregation in 2025! We were able to hand over 60 plus gifts to our local community.
We understand that the cost of living may be high for many members at the moment. With this in mind I would like to make it clear that any contributions to this Christmas Appeal are entirely optional and members should only donate if they feel that they can.
The gifts are requested by The Health Visitors for the Girvan and surrounding area. So they are for members of the local community in identified need.
From the middle of November there will be gift tags on a small Christmas tree either at the front door or in the small chapel. You are cordially invited to take a tag, if you wish, and provide a gift. The request will be on the back of the tag. It is asked not to wrap the gift but paper or gift bag can be included if you wish. This would be appreciated.
Your gifts will be handed over on 13th December to give the health visitors enough time to pass them over in time for Christmas.
Likoma-Malawi
After supporting our twin church in Malawi for 11 years the Kirk session have decided to cease supporting Likoma. Over the years we have helped when their crops failed due to heavy rains. We also sent money to help build a manse, which succeeded in a minister being sent to the island on a permanent basis. Latterly we have been sending money for the building of a new church to be able to seat everyone, as part of the congregation was having to sit outside the church.
The new church is nearly finished. Just windows and doors to finish, so our final payment, which was sent last week, will go a long way to finish the project.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported Likoma over the last 11 years. I know they are really grateful for all our help.
Sandra Smith
Outreach and Mission team
Sunday School
Matthew 19: 14
Jesus said “ let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these “
“ Advent Adventure“
We are offering fun crafts and games on an advent theme for 3 Sundays in December .
Children age 3 upwards, can join in - by meeting up in the large church hall at 11.45 am . We plan to go into church for the children’s address then children and leaders will return to the large hall for some fun crafts and games until 12 noon .
Sun 20 dec will be our fun nativity in church
All are welcome !
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father,
I bring all of my stress, worries,
and burdens before You. You know
every thought that keeps me awake,
every pressure I am carrying, and every
situation that feels beyond my control.
Help me to release what I cannot fix and
trust that You are already working
behind the scenes on my behalf.
Calm my anxious thoughts, steady
my emotions, and remind me that I do
not have to carry everything alone.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.