Dalmuir Barclay Church

03/06/2026

Reflection from Lorraine

Hello Everyone,
This week from the 1st of June until the 7th of June we celebrate the tremendous contribution made by volunteers to our charities and communities.
This week is volunteers week when we take the opportunity to say thank you to everyone who gives of their time and talent to help others.
Many volunteers would say they don't need thanks but it is good to let someone know they are appreciated and that they make a difference to so many lives.

I first began working with volunteers when I managed charity retail shops for Barnardo's Children's Charity.
We had volunteers of all ages from young people volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award to people who had retired many years ago but still enjoyed getting out, having a routine and through their efforts raising money for a good cause.
We had a lovely lady who was well into her eighties and still volunteering not only in the shop but with various organisations and in her local church.
Although she was what most people would consider advanced in years she would say how she was going to visit some " Old People" obviously not considering herself to be in that category at all !!
The customers loved her and she could say things to customers that no-one else could say such as " Is this dress for you, I didn't think so, it wouldn't fit !!"
She was a legend and a woman who lived out her faith in service to others.

Young people would volunteer to gain work experience and it was always good to hear how their careers had progressed.
I often see one of my volunteers who now works in the shop in Gartnavel Hospital and always remembers the skills she acquired in charity retail.
Many who were mentored then go on to mentor others as they know what it's like to be a young person starting out in the workplace.

The disciples were mentored by Jesus and were the original volunteers going forward in his name to spread The Gospel, fired up by The Holy Spirit.
They would encourage others to join them in the journey, to volunteer to be part of something greater than they could be alone.
To build on the firm foundation Jesus had provided.
1 Corinthians : 3/9
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

Many people of all ages volunteer in our churches today, they build relationships with their community and with each other.
They express their Christian calling in various ways by providing food and clothing, a listening ear and a helping hand.

Titus 3:14 :
And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

Volunteers never ask for praise but are more than willing to participate in improving the lives of others, showing care and compassion, often following the example of those who have inspired them with their selfless service.
Working, Worshipping, Welcoming in the name of the Lord who calls us all to be part of his plan, valuable volunteers who make great things happen.

Ephesians 2:10 GNT:
God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.

Love and Blessings to you all
Lorraine
Pastoral Assistant.

Due to attending a conference the next Reflection will be on Thursday 2nd July.

01/06/2026

5 days to go until our exciting concert. Rainbows are very important to our theme. Free concert why not come

01/06/2026

Delighted to have been awarded this from the Pride of Place Impact Grant. Thank you

30/05/2026

Moderator’s Ramblings

When I met with a group of Clyde Presbytery ministers last month I spoke about how much my husband Jim and I enjoy walking and that just the day before we had walked about 11.5 miles from our home. This was a circular walk taking in both the Renfrew Bridge and the Erskine Bridge, mainly along the canal on the north bank and along the river on the south bank. As we walked I began to wonder how many parishes we travelled through; I counted seven - Inchinnan, Renfrew North, Clydebank Waterfront l/w Kilbowie St Andrews, Dalmuir Barclay, Old Kilpatrick, Bishopton and Erskine. This walk gave me the opportunity to give thanks for the work done in each of these parishes by their ministers and congregations.

I also said that it was my hope that by the end of my year as moderator I would enjoy a walk in all of the parishes within Clyde presbytery.

One more step along the world I go…

More ramblings to follow!

Love and Blessings,
Mhairi

28/05/2026

Quiz time at Dalmuir Barclay Church! Pay at the door.

23/05/2026

Thank you to all who came along today to Pentecost Messy Church. Fantastic when 2 to 82 year olds come together for the dance - mums, dads and children. We hope that everyone had as much fun as the Messy Church Team!

20/05/2026

Reflection from Lorraine

Hello Everyone,
Many of you may know that I regularly use buses to get out and about and quite often have bus related stories but in between those journeys I do a lot of walking.
My Fit Bit which monitors my steps is broken but I was quite regularly doing 10,000 steps though due to bad weather recently I think that number has considerably reduced.
The rain on Sunday seemed as if it was of monsoon proportions and certainly didn't encourage a leisurely stroll more like a run for cover but if it's terribly hot this weekend this may also curtail my walking as I seek a shaded spot.

The month of May is National Walking Month highlighted by a charity called Living Streets where people are encouraged to leave the car behind and embrace the health and well being benefits of walking as even a brisk ten minute walk improves cardiovascular health, reduces stress and increases energy.
We are encouraged to "Walk this May "

Waterfront Church are looking forward to resuming their walking group soon and it is a wonderful opportunity for people to get to know each other, walk in safety and share their knowledge of the local area and of course there is a welcome cuppa in the church on their return.

Sometimes walking is better when you have a helper, a companion on the road.
Jesus recognised the importance of people supporting and encouraging each other on the path he set before them. Luke 10:1
" After this the Lord appointed seventy two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go ".

On Sunday we celebrate Pentecost which is sometimes called " The Birthday of the Church "
This is when the disciples experienced The Holy Spirit in the form of Wind and Fire as it entered their room and settled upon them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit allowing them to share the message of Jesus in various languages to be understood by all.
Jesus had sent the helper they required.
John 14:26 : "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and make you remember everything I have told you."

The disciples would go forward to walk roads unknown, sometimes with companions, sometimes alone yet never truly alone as the Holy Spirit was within them, the words of Jesus were to be shared with all who crossed their path.
With their footsteps of faith they were walking in The Way of The Lord.

We are experiencing change in church life and may have to take a different route to get to where we need to be, not just "talk the talk" but more importantly "walk the walk" and move forward together for even when the road feels rocky the Lord is with us smoothing the way.
Proverbs 3 : 5:6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.

Let us journey with Jesus, follow his map for mission and walk together as companions on the road.
Not just "Walk this May" but walk "Everyday" in his footsteps.
Jesus is not a fairweather friend, he is our forever friend, walking with us in the sunshine and the storms of life.
In the words of a well known hymn may we
"Look forward in faith, all time is in God's hand
Walk humbly with him and trust his future plan".

1 John 2:6 ESV : Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Love and Blessings to you all
Lorraine
Pastoral Assistant.

20/05/2026

Messy Church celebrating Pentecost takes place this Saturday 23rd May from 11 am until 12.30 pm. The Messy Church Team look forward to seeing everyone there! All are welcome to come along.

17/05/2026

Friends, a wee bit late but here’s the link to St Giles Cathedral worship this morning with the General Assembly (the link wasn’t easy to find!)

Morning Service, on Sunday, 17th of May from St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. If you would like to hear more from St Giles’ please visit www.stgilescathedral....