Full-time Assistant Minister appointed!

Rev. Buchanan served as Moderator of Dumbarton Presbytery in 1996/97.   During his time as Moderator he continued to have the part-time help of Rev. Sandy Walker and, previous to this, Rev. David Graham had functioned in a similar capacity.  However, it was abundantly clear that the work involved in serving such a large congregation - now with about 1200 on the roll - called for a full- time assistant minister. Thankfully, the congregation was able to appoint, in 1997, our first full-time Assistant Minister - Emily Campbell - to share the workload.  Emily came to us from the United States, after completing her probationary year in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Thanks to the generous giving of the congregation, a second manse was purchased and Emily, with her new husband, Rev. Doug. Campbell, who had been appointed as assistant minister at New Kilpatrick Church, were the first occupants.

top

Church & Community

The church continued to play its part in the life of the community. In 1996, when the new East Dumbarton Council was formed, the new authority's first 'Kirkin o' the Council' Service took place in St. Paul's with the participation of such distinguished persons as the Roman Catholic Archbishop Winning, the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt. Rev. John McIndoe and, representing the Queen, Brigadier Donald Hardie, Lord Lieutenant of Dumbartonshire.  Rev. Buchanan conducted the service.

On a much more local level, the Playgroup, hosted in the church premises, celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 1996.  Some of the early members, now parents, were now helping to run the group and had their own children attending!

top

Interchurch Relations

The relationship between all of the churches in Milngavie continued to be very good, with much informal co-operation and more formal co-operation through the activities of the Association of Milngavie Churches. The Association published (and continues to publish) a regular newsletter, the 'Milchat', and continues to organise 'Carols in the Precinct', the Good Friday 'March of Witness' and the Remembrance Sunday Service and Wreath-Laying at the War Memorial in the precinct.

An amusing and quite unintended 'coming together' of St. Joseph's R.C. Church and St. Paul's occurred in 1998 when, due to an unexplained quirk in the PA systems in both churches, on one Sunday morning, the disembodied voice of Father Noel Barry came over the loudspeakers in St. Paul's, inviting the staunch Presbyterian congregation to pray for "John Paul, our Pope" - only to be followed, a week or two later, by the loud voice of Rev. Buchanan forcing the visiting missionary, Fr. Joseph Bibby of the Society of St. James, the Apostle, 'off the air' in St. Joseph's!

Interchurch relations were further strengthened as a result of the joint activities related to the Millenium celebrations, with a 'Songs of Praise', compered by Sally Magnusson, a Children's Event, attended by in excess of 1200 schoolchildren, and an interdenominational celebration of Holy Communion, held in the Esporta Leisure Centre, among the highlights.

top

Outreach

LOCAL

Highlights of the outreach activity of the church included a number of Alpha Courses in 1997/98 and an Easter Holiday Club, which ran for several years.  A follow-up of the latter was X-pedition Force which then became 'Sun Kids', still meeting several times a year and attracting a significant number of children who are not otherwise in touch with the church.

Networking@St. Paul's was formed to provide fellowship for the 18 to 40 age group and, in 2004, this website was launched.

NEARBY

St. Paul's, for many years, had supported the work of the Lodging House Mission and continued to do so during this decade and beyond.

During this decade, the church began to get more and more involved in the work of Open Door Trust, initially through regular financial help but, latterly, a number of the members of St. Paul's have been actively participating in the work of the Trust, e.g. in the Monday night outreach on the streets.

ABROAD

The church continued to maintain a strong prayerful interest in overseas Christian work. In addition to supporting a succession of Church of Scotland Missionary Partners, regular donations to Christian Aid and Tearfund were made. One very practical way of supporting our brothers and sisters in less-developed countries was the introduction of a Traidcraft stall at the 'tea and coffee' after the morning service.

In 1997, the church adopted David & Lorna Ferguson as mission partners, committing the church to regular prayer for David & Lorna and their family and to donating a significant sum towards their support in the work they are doing in Japan.  More information concerning the Fergusons, who continue as our mission partners, is found on our 'Overseas' page.

The India Ministries Fellowship is a small Christian charity which came into being when some divinity students at Aberdeen were challenged to consider the plight of so many underprivileged in India.  From early in its history the churches in Bearsden & Milngavie have supported its work with one of our elders serving as treasurer for several years.  In this decade, links were strengthened with increased donations and visits from several trustees.  An introduction to its work is found on our 'Overseas' page and an account of a visit to the work, made in 2006 by one of our members, appeared in Nov. 2006 Life.

top

2000 - Centenary of our (Woman's) Guild

2000 was a year of celebration not only of the new Millenium but also of the Centenary of our Woman's Guild. An attractive banner was designed and executed by the ladies and an impressive pulpit light shade was donated to the church. Some of the photographic record of the Centenary Dinner can be accessed by following the links below.

Centenary Dinner	The Guild 2000	Past Presidents	Centenary Cake Cutting
Guild Centenary Dinner Top Table
Centenary/Millenium Show	Guild Committee 2000		Congratulations from Moderator

top

'Project 2006'

In 2000 it was proposed that, to mark the centenary of the present building and to comply with environmental health and disabled access requirements, the premises would be upgraded to the required standard and to this end 'Project 2006' was set up.

In excess of £300,000 was required to execute the plans and a wide variety of efforts were mounted to raise this amount (including obtaining a loan from '121' (C.of S. Offices in Edinburgh)).  The 'thumbnails' will take you to information concerning some of the ways in which the money was raised.

The new development of refurbished halls and improved facilities was completed and dedicated in 2005.

Miscellany

A selection of miscellaneous photos and press cuttings pertaining to the church and its organisations during this decade will (eventually!) appear here.