Fill a jar, feed a child

For over 20 years Cumbernauld Old has been collecting ‘coffee jar’ offerings – these 1p, 2p, 5p coins collected by our members day by day, week by week in empty jars and other containers – and these have helped support a number of projects, from our World Mission partners in South Africa to our own Project ROCK here in Cumbernauld Old. It has been amazing how, little by little, these coins collected by each of us have made a big difference when all added together.

Recently, following the completion of Project ROCK, our coffee jar offerings, collected twice a year, have gone to support the general work of Cumbernauld Old. However, it was agreed at a recent Kirk Session meeting that this vital work should be supported by our weekly giving to the church, and that the ‘coffee jar’ offerings should revert to supporting other causes as part of our wider Christian giving.

Therefore, the money collected at our next ‘coffee jar’ Sunday (on 15th January 2017) will be sent to the charity Mary’s Meals.

Mary’s Meals works in 12 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, providing a nutritious daily meal to children attending school. In their own words: “we meet the immediate needs of hungry children and encourage them to go to school to gain an education that can, in the future, be their ladder out of poverty.”

£12.20 is all it costs to fund a child for a whole school year, so your contributions, no matter how little, will make a huge difference. So keep collecting these coins and bring them along on 15th January. Together, we will continue to make a difference! Thanks.

You can find out more about Mary’s Meals from their website: www.marysmeals.org.uk

Ta Muchly

Just a quick word of thanks to those who supported Cumbernauld Old’s recent Plant Sale & Coffee Morning and our Quiz Night. The first event raised £85 for church funds and the quiz raised an amazing £487. Thanks once again!

Handbags wanted!

Many women have old handbags lurking at the back of their wardrobes, either used or waiting to be used ‘some day’. Cumbernauld Old might just have the solution.

Between now and 4th December we will be collecting for the Lanarkshire Baby Bank Christmas Handbag Appeal. We would invite you to join the Handbag Appeal by donating a handbag and fill it with some of these suggested items, things that we all take for granted but most of the mums this charity supports struggle to buy: toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, wipes, shampoo, conditioner, brush, comb, bobbles, lip gloss, nail polish, moisturiser, sanitary products, soap, hats, gloves, fluffy socks, razors, hand sanitiser, mouthwash, chocolate and sweets.

Elizabeth Snedden and Anne Morrison will co-ordinate the donations and will be happy to receive handbags and any of the items on the list for this local charity. There will be a box in the church vestibule at the Village and in the Forge hall at Balloch for your donations of handbags, items on the wish list, or both. Thanks for your help. It will make a big difference.

You can find our more about the Lanarkshire Baby Bank on their Facebook page.