Welcome to Moncreiff Parish Church in East Kilbride.

January 2022 Update

Hello! Happy New Year.  

Just a wee update to let you know what is happening around Moncreiff this month.  

We are allowed to hold Sunday worship.  However, due to the work from home law in-person meetings such as Kirk Session, Congregational Board, Prayer meetings and Bible Studies are not allowed.  Worship has a special dispensation to continue in the current situation. 

We took the decision to close the Church over the festive season whilst people were mixing more and travelling around the country to visit family and friends. Sunday worship will return on Sunday 9th January but there will be no tea/coffee etc after the services during January.  Nevertheless please decide for yourself whether attending in person is necessary or indeed safe for you and yours.  

The plea from Scottish Government, at this time, is to limit social contact as much as possible.  Online and telephone services will remain available.  And do take a Lateral Flow Test on the Sunday morning before attending worship. Masks, sitting in household groups only, keeping test and protect registers and social distancing are required.  You do not need to book in advance but you can. 

Assuming that by the end of the month some of the restrictions around hospitality and working from home are lifted then it is hoped to start up groups and committees. 

Rainbows, Brownies, Girls Brigade and The Guild have all chosen to restart in February.  All non-church hall lets are encouraged to make their own decisions about start dates and are guided by their organisations as to what is required.  Whilst in our building though all attending groups must wear a mask (unless exempt), use hand gel and follow the capacity guidelines. 

It’s not what we wanted the start to a New Year to look like but we are experienced now.  And perhaps a little more prepared for the ups and downs of this pandemic.  On the one hand we could simply throw in the towel and quit.  That would be kinda nice! On the other hand we can jump into the ring and know that God is tussling it all out with us.  He is in the daily grind and fine details.  In fact, my choice of image made me think of Daniel’s friends in the fire…when the King looked into the fire he expected to see the three friends dying in great pain. Instead he saw four men walking in the fire.  When he called the friends out they came out without a mark on them.  

We can’t leave this pandemic unmarked but we do know God is with us. And so despite everything, I believe God is walking with us and there is eternal hope.  For if God is for us, who can be against us?  Hang in there folks, and may you know God’s love, joy, peace, and hope at this time.  Follow his light and be his light in a dark world.  Do join with us in person or on line! 

Love Sarah 

“If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying ‘here is the road, follow it’.”

Isaiah 30:21