Rutherglen United Reformed Church
Rutherglen URC seeks
... to be a Christian community which is welcoming and inclusive.
... to be a Christian community which nurtures all within its fellowship.
... to be a Christian community which is 'good news' in the wider community.
Our Lockdown Story
February 2021 The minister conducted the weddings of Billy & Anne (pictured on left) and Steven & June (pictured on right). Congratulations and good wishes to both of the happy couples. 25th December We celebrated the birth of Jesus at our Christmas Day Service - our last service of 2020 as Scotland returned to lock down on the 26th December. 20th December Christingle Service The children and their 'bubbles' came together for a Christingle Service in the church. 13th December Worship resumes in the building. Advent 2021 The children drew pictures of the Christmas story which were displayed on the railings during advent. Our thanks to Charlie, Finn and Aston for their wonderful art work. 28th - 29th November Instead of our usual Gift Service we held a 'drop off' donation of toys for FARE (Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse.) on both the Saturday and Sunday mornings. A big thank you to all who donated. 21st November 2020 We delivered the URC produced Advent Activity boxes to the children who attend J-Team on a Sunday and to some of the grandparents in the church who look after their grandchildren during the week. 17th November 2020 Following the First Minister's announcement that South Lanarkshire would move into Tier 4 on the 20th the church once again suspends worship. 8th November 2020 Following each of our two Sunday morning services we held an Act of Remembrance in the church car park. In addition to the two minute silence, after which Mr Rob Miller and Mr Bob Anderson laid wreaths, Mrs Cathie Lees sang 'In Flanders Fields' and Mr John Paton played 'Flowers of the Forest' on the pipes. Well over 60 people, including neighbours and passers-by attended the two Acts of Remembrance. 4th & 5th October 2020. On the first weekend of October we held our Harvest Collection for the Rutherglen & Cambuslang Foodbank. Donations from members of the community from members of the church fellowship were dropped off on the Saturday morning, with further donations being handed in by those who attended worship on the Sunday morning. In all 624kg of food and £226 was donated to the Foodbank. 30th August 2020. After 5 months of 'lock down' we reopened our doors for Sunday Worship. Because numbers were restricted due to social distancing requirements we decided to hold two short services - 10.30am & 11.30am. A booking system was set up and a perspex screen purchased so that those leading worship could do so without wearing a mask. 8th July 2020. Rutherglen URC opened its doors for Personal Prayer and Reflection. The church opened each Wednesday between 11am - 1pm and those attending were able to sit and pray as music played and words and images appeared on the screen. 28th June 2020. 'God is love' was our next on-street display. 25th June 2020. We made a small, socially distanced presentation to Mrs Ann Russell who joined the church 50 years ago this month. 1st June 2020. For the month of June we marked 'Pride Month' by adding a rainbow to our railing. We also added appropriately coloured ribbons to the railings as we remembered in prayer those who suffer as a result of inequality and injustice in our world. 31st May 2020. 'Pentecost' Our display was 'unveiled' on Pentecost Sunday. 12th May 2020. Marking 'Christian Aid Week' As there was no door to door collection during lockdown those wishing to support Christian Aid were asked to do so on-line. 10th May 2020. Criss-Cross (the Church's Youth Group) began meeting on-line. We were joined by young people from Greenock East URC for games, quizzes and puzzles. 20th April 2020. The launch of our 'Prayer Railing'. Those passing by the church whilst exercising or making essential journeys were given the opportunity to tie a ribbon on the church railings as a visible expression of their prayers for, or their concern about, someone or something. People continued to add ribbons to the prayer railing throughout the first lockdown. 15th April 2020. The Bible Study group began meeting on-line. Apart from a short break in the summer the Group has met fortnightly since then. 12th April 2020. Our Easter Day Banners 'Easter - from suffering and fear to everlasting hope' were put up outside the church and were appreciated by our neighbours and passers-by. Such was the response it was decided to create a series of on-street displays during lockdown. 22nd March 2020. Our first 'Sunday Reflection' was emailed or hand delivered to everyone within the fellowship. It was also posted on the Church's Facebook Page. As we felt it was important that everyone within the fellowship was treated alike we decided not to produce on-line worship (which would have excluded a quarter of the fellowship) and instead produced a written reflection each week during lockdown. We have continued to produce the Weekly Reflection sheet even though we are now back worshipping in the building. |
Sunday WorshipWorship When in Tier 3 or lower worship will take place in the building. In Tier 3 services will be held at 10:30 and at 11:30 each Sunday and all visitors are made most welcome. During the Covid-19 pandemic it is necessary to reserve a place by contacting the secretary before attending.
Our MinisterRev John Sanderson B.D came to Rutherglen URC in 1998 having studied at Edinburgh University and the Scottish Churches Open College and undergoing ministerial training at the Scottish Congregational College. He is married to Lindsey and they have two daughters, Hannah and Morven, and a dog named Hamish. In 2018 the church celebrated 20 years of John's ministry. (Details here)
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The National Synod of Scotland have useful information on their web page here
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The URC has a list of churches providing digital acts of worship: bit.ly/URCdigital.
Rutherglen URC is a charity registered with OSCR The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is a Non-Ministerial Department and part of the Scottish Administration following commencement of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.
Rutherglen URC. Scottish Charity No. 017385
Rutherglen URC is a charity registered with OSCR The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) is a Non-Ministerial Department and part of the Scottish Administration following commencement of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.
Rutherglen URC. Scottish Charity No. 017385
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