Pastor's Letter...

Dear Friends and New Family

Both Christine and I are absolutely thrilled to be here with you all in St. John's Church and living in the midst of such a nice, friendly community as Carluke. From our first visit in September when we met with two representatives of your Search Committee, to our arrival in May, seemed to be a long, long time, but though it all God was powerfully at work to make happen what we are now enjoying.

We both want you to know how much we loved and appreciated all the work that has been done in the Manse. So much love was evident by what had been thought through and accomplished since we had last visited the house in February. Iris Nelson and Ken Mackie have to be highly commended for spearheading the work that involved so many people.

On the day of our arrival there were many of Iris' "Mighty Men" as she described them, who were on hand to assist with the new couple and their borrowed furniture. We were extremely grateful for their welcome that was only added to by some gracious women who made that arrival less fearful and much more warm and hospitable. Thank you to all!

I recall saying when I preached as 'sole nominee' that I had never done such a thing before. Now I can add to that. Up until May 3rd, I had never been inducted into a Scottish Church before either. Now I have and in order to make it happen you prepared and provided for us such a great service and a warm and enduring memory.

All of you have been very gracious open hearted and generous in your conversations with us and in the many donations of food and gifts to us. You certainly have made us feel very much 'at home' back home amongst 'oor ain folk'. Your warmth towards us have underlined the reasons that have drawn us back to Scotland in the first place.

You may recall the headline that was in the Carluke Gazette of May 17 above my photograph. It read, "St John's New Minister is impressed with His Congregation". Please know how true that is. From "CHOICES" to the food that was consumed during Christian Aid week we have been impressed - from the joy on a Sunday morning's service to the warmth on Thursday at Kettle's On as well as the church service we have been impressed - for the willingness and exceptional ability of so many people, we have quite sincerely, been not only impressed, but overwhelmed.

As we bring this first month together to a conclusion both of us are really looking forward to visiting you and getting to know you better in your own homes. We will be doing as much of this as we can over the summer months, We also wish to encourage others who could have got out of the habit of being involved in church, for a variety of reasons, to understand that this is a new season, a new opportunity to return. We invite you to be involved in a new start, and a new future. We invite you to make a real effort to return and discover how Church fellowship and the warmth of God's people can make you life richer and fuller.

Yours in Christ,

Roy